Monday, October 1, 2012

Madeline for my Goddaughter Emily's 3rd Birthday :: this should be in every child's library

So that I can stay motivated with my blogging!

Ahh, October... A gorgeous, crisp, and sunny first day in the Pacific Northwest. What a beautiful way to start the week! Autumn is my favorite season and October is one of my favorite months. I get to celebrate a birthday, cozy indoor weekends, baking, pumpkins, cinnamon sticks, fiery colors of red-orange-goldenrod on outdoor hikes and soccer games...

I'm trying to stay afloat in the busyness of life's waters. Coordinating my boys' 4th and 2nd grade classroom and after school activities. Balancing work and my photography business. Connecting with my loved ones. Staying positive. Being inspired by creative folks. All good things--but they can definitely derail the mindfulness track. So, I wanted to take a quick moment and record my senses before the day gets too far ahead of me.

My senses this morning...

Sight: Robust and swelling pinecones on the treetops ready for the birds' harvest.

Smell: My boys' apple-scented hair as I flatten down their cowlicks--more like their rooster combs (I didn't know what the top of a rooster's head thing was called until now--there's actually a Google search named "what do you call that thing on top of a rooster's head?" Apparently, I wasn't the only one who needed this information).

Sound: A neighbor hammering away on some house project. I wonder what it is?

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comments:

oh Charmaine - how I love your blog! Your words paint such a vivid image for your readers. I always feel like I am right there with you. :) Thanks for the reminder to be present - I was just so swamped with my "to-do" list. I needed this gentle reminder to connect with my senses...

Sight - my two sweet pups sleeping soundly by my feetSmell - a bit of cucumber in my waterTaste - the lingering taste of olive oil from my salad Sound - the garbage truck passing by (and now the pups are up!)Touch - the coolness of the water through my glass

Thanks Charmaine for another lovely blog post and lasting image in my mind. Your Fall desk will stay with me all day!

You are so kind, Jamie. Thank you! Love it, "and now the pups are up!" :) Your cucumber water always sounds so refreshing--I remember that great photo that you took a while back. I seem to forget about making this infused water. Thanks for the reminder!

Always beautiful, Charmaine! Every time I read one of your posts, I feel like the world slows down and I can just take a deep breath. And share some thoughts with you, specifically these regarding where my senses are at right now:

Sight - a giant tree outside my 7th-floor window in Montreal. Lush and green, and just transitioning to yellowSmell - the wool of a blanket around my shouldersTaste - fresh raspberries and kiwis (still a tinge of summer on my plate)Sound - kitty drinking water...so preciousTouch - a cozy cotton sweater I found in one of Chris's dresser drawers

I'm so blessed to have such creative folks in my camp. I'm always inspired by everyone's words and images. I'm happy that you're loving Montreal with Chris. I want to go there someday. Maybe we visit you two! :) Happy October/Libra birthday to you as well! No wonder we are friends;) Lots of love to you too.

It's your beautiful corner of the web that I'm reminded to take a deep breath Charmaine, thank you! I can certainly relate to trying to stay afloat (especially during the school year!). At the moment, my senses are:

Sight - Glistening patio planks soaked from this afternoon's endless rainSmell - Minty chocolate chip ice-cream (that my son is inhaling!)Taste - Sweet-tart tomato sauce from an early dinner of Chicken Asado ;)Sound - French cartoons in the background with little voices that rise and fall, rise and fall...Touch - Denim jeans that feel a tad too warm for this humid weather

You have such an illustrative way of describing your days, Catherine. I love how you always blend your French and Filipino heritage! This evening we had that sour soup, Sinigang with salmon and shrimp:)

I have just subscribed to your beautiful blog, what beautiful photos, what a gift you have there. J'adore Automne, aussi ;)

Sight- The leaves falling and swirling on the pavements outsideSmell- dinner being prepared Taste- a delicious herb vinaigrette from my lunch, earlierSound- the wind whistling around our front garden (the sound of Autumn, to me)Touch- the fleece lining of my favourite 'Boston' hooded top from a visit 5 years ago